[NvHam] Straight Key Night

[Matthew Parker]

164 entries last year?  With 71 sections, that equates to less than two
entries per section.  We could easily put the Nevada Section on the map
by just getting on the air, even for a little while, and enjoying the
art of pounding brass.  Hope you will all join me and follow up by
submitting your reports to ARRL HQ.  Remember, this is not a speed
contest, so there is no reason to by shy - operators of all skill levels
are welcome.  Hope to see you on!

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2004 ARRL Straight Key Night Announcement
 
Many people helped make us the operators we are today. And we all recall
those special moments with our "Elmers" -- the people who really taught
us the ropes of operating. Most of us are fortunate to have had several
along the way. When I first was getting started in the hobby, I was
fortunate enough to have two that helped pave the way for me to "join
the club." 

By chance, they happened to be great friends and neighbors to each
other. In fact, Everest W4DYW was also an Elmer to the other Col. Frank
WB4JMG. Between the two of them they kept my interest sparked... And
they taught me "the code." During all of the weeks I was studying the
theory for my novice test, you would usually find me either at Everest's
or Frank's -- rummaging through junk boxes or learning to solder. And
most importantly (at least to me) - participating in amateur radio by
"operating" their stations -- tapping out CQs and making QSOs on the
straight keys at their rigs. 

They believed that the best way to learn the code was to use the code.
By the time my own license arrived after several months of expert
tutelage, I was ready to fly solo without a guiding hand to walk me
through my the first contact -- with Col. Frank. By the time WN4YMV was
QRV, they had already gotten me into the habit of checking into novice
training nets and handling traffic -- all through the magic of "pounding
brass." 

In this era of digital communication, keyboarding, FM and electronic
keys, once a year many excellent operators bring the past to the present
and participate in the annual ARRL Straight Key Night. The object of
this friendly event is to enjoy some good, old fashioned QSO fun, using
straight keys. The emphasis is on rag-chewing rather than on fast
contest-type exchanges. SKN 2004 begins at 7:00 p.m. EST December 31 and
runs for 24 hours through 7:00 p.m. EST January 1 (0000 --2400 UTC
January 1, 2004). 

When participating in SKN 2004, instead of sending RST before sending
the signal report send the letters SKN, to indicate your participation,
and to clue in passers-by who may be listening that SKN is going strong.
Afterwards, send the Contest Branch a list of stations worked, plus your
vote for the best fist you heard (it doesn't have to be one you worked).
Also, include your vote for the most interesting QSO you had or
monitored. 

Please post your comments and interesting photographs from your SKN
adventure to the ARRL Contest Online Soapbox </contests/soapbox> . You
may also send in items for the Feedback section of the SKN 2004
write-up. Entries should be emailed to the Contest Branch 
or may be sent via regular mail to SKN, ARRL, 225 Main St, Newington, CT
06111.
 
Entries for SKN 2004 must be received by January 31, 2004. Votes for
"Best Fist" and "Most Interesting QSO" will be tabulated and included in
the April 2004 issue of QST. If you have questions about SKN, please
visit the Contest Branch Web Page </contests>  or contact
contests@arrl.org 

Last year we had 164 entries submitted for SKN -- the most in many
years. Why not dust off the key, clean the contacts and light up the
ether with the beautiful melody of hand-created CW? If your Elmers were
like mine, they will smile knowing that the true art of CW is not
lost...